SecCo to hold open debate on Mideast in January – SecCo President press conference (excerpts)

It was particularly important this month for the Security Council to strengthen coordination with regional organizations, as it considered the next steps in situations such as Somalia, Ambassador Zhang Yesui of China, whose country holds the body’s presidency for January, told correspondents at Headquarters today.

As he outlined the agenda for the coming weeks, Mr. Zhang referred to a thematic meeting on “Cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security”, scheduled for 13 January, and said, “Cooperation could be propelled to a higher level”.  He maintained that, while the topic had been on the Council’s agenda since 2003, there was room for further cooperation in such areas as exchange of information and preventive diplomacy.

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The monthly meeting on the Middle East would take place in the form of an open debate on 27 January, he said, and he expected speakers to urge the parties to resume negotiations as soon as possible, towards a just and lasting peace.

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